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USA Hockey announces Buffalo as 2018 World Juniors host city; outdoor hockey included

MiHockey Staff

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By @MichaelCaples –

At a press conference held outdoors at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo (home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills) today, USA Hockey officially announced that the city will host the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.

The announcement was held at the NFL stadium because a highlight of the event will be an outdoor hockey game for the first time in tournament history. The release from USA Hockey says that the game will be a “likely matchup” of the U.S. and Canada.

Buffalo hosted the WJC in 2011.

“It was an extremely difficult decision as all three finalists in contention to host the event were exceptional,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey, in a  release. “We’re excited to be returning to Buffalo and are most thankful for the extraordinary support of the Pegulas, and everyone involved with the Sabres and Bills organizations and Pegula Sports and Entertainment. We look forward to an outstanding event.”

The World Junior tournament annually hosts teams from the top ten hockey countries across the globe, with rosters comprised of the top under-20 players from each nation.

“Needless to say we’re thrilled to be selected,” said Terry Pegula, owner of the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills, in the release. “USA Hockey had three terrific finalists and we are truly honored to be hosting this magnificent event. I know our community and region will be great hosts for teams and fans from around the world for what we expect to be the best World Junior Championship ever held in the U.S.”

This year, Helsinki, Finland, will host the prestigious tournament.

USA Hockey has served as the host federation five times – 1982 (Minneapolis/St. Paul), 1989 (Anchorage, Alaska), 1996 (Boston, Massachusetts), 2005 (Grand Forks, North Dakota/Thief River Falls, Minnesota) and 2011 (Buffalo, New York).

Representatives from Detroit reportedly expressed interest in being the host city, but they were not one of the finalists selected by USA Hockey.